YOUR AD HERE »

The facts on 1A

Pitkin County Ballot Question 1A has been placed on the Aug. 13 primary ballot in order to ask the voting public – including Independents, Democrats, Republicans and Greens alike – if they want to change the way the county calculates their property tax.

Both our home rule charter and the state constitution limit property tax revenue increases to the rate of inflation plus the rate of growth from new construction. Both require voter approval, although they use different definitions of inflation and growth.

From 1993 to the present, the county has had to calculate both formulas. In nine out of the last 10 years the home rule charter calculation has resulted in the property and business owner paying more taxes than if the calculation had been done under the state constitution formula.



For 2002, the exception will occur, resulting in a property tax increase of 80 cents per $100,000 of assessed value for residential property; $2.40 for the business owner per $100,000 of value.

The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners requests the public to fully educate themselves as to what the true implications are if this question passes. History shows us that 90 percent of the time our taxes would be less than those collected under the home rule charter.




Please ask questions. Let’s have a factual dialogue. This would benefit everyone. Please call me at 923-4680, and remember to vote on Aug. 13.

Jack Hatfield

Pitkin County Commissioner